Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

John Petley is correct. Apologies if it caused confusion.

 

Thanks

 

Hopefully nothing too serious and can be easily fixed in daylight and when the weather improves.

 

Going by a report on Facebook the landslip is on the section between Alton and Medstead in a cutting. The crews of the Class 20's found it during the line inspection before services started. The Alton services were cancelled with 30506. 35005 operated the Alresford services between Alresford and Medstead.

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The landslip has been cleared and illuminations services are running as normal this evening. Great work from all involved:

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Hmmm........

We had no intention of having a working party atop the hill yesterday, but things changed as reports reached us that there had been an attempt to get our next project into the yard, but the attempt failed due to seized securing chains........ Sooooo, after a lengthy conversation with me Oppo, we convinced each other that it would be a good idea to rouse from our pits on Saturday and make a day of it, it was either going to be a five minute job or one that took a lot longer!

After meeting up at lunchtime and having brew and catch up, it was off down the end of Bennett's to have a shufty, armed with oil and an extension pole.....

As it turned out, it was a five minute job as each chain released without too much effort or use of the pole, the final one was a bit stiff, but nothing to write home about, and we reckon this was the only one tried in the failed attempt and they didn't bother with the rest!

Still, job done, and a message sent to them that needed to know of the outcome, it was time to have a laugh and a joke with the footplate crew on the Satan's before we dropped down to Alresford for some scran and a round trip in BY Van C 765 on the steamy lighty train before heading home and making friends with beer!

Just when our next project lands in the yard remains to be seen, but one thing we do know is, we won't be atop the hill next week - the bakers is closed , so there's no point.

So, a few pics from yesterday - no pic's of our next project until it actually arrives in the yard......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54997481363/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54997308296/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54997605785/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54996424947/in/dateposted-public/

 

As mentioned in the whats going on area of the forum the 150 unit is arriving at her new home tommorrow from Derby:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K49420/2025-12-23/detailed

 

Not the best photo….but our Christmas present arrived. Well done everyone for making this happen.

My excuse for the poor photo is that I was driving ….

 

150231 arrives at Alresford by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

"Canadian Pacific" runs into opley with a Steam Illuminations Service by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

To help Simon out here are some I took earlier
150231 is currently parked outside my Mum's flat.

 

I don’t remember the Opley stop though

Christmas spirit?

 

It's between Lresford and Edstead...

 

A CP kind of night tonight

 

It certainly was Nigel

"Canadian Pacific" hauls a Steam Illuminations service at Bishops Sutton by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

35005 Illumibates the Lineside by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

We visited Ropley last night to travel on the miniature railway and watch the illuminations services pass through. Christ on a bike it was bloody cold and windy last night but we still enjoyed the time we spent at the railway. It was good to get away from the absolutely dire Christmas TV.
Thanks to the hardy folks on the miniature railway for an enjoyable ride and to the railway for allowing public viewing of the illuminations services at Ropley.
A few shots of 30506 and 35005 on illuminations duties. I hope all is well with CanPac as she sounded very off beat on the second trip of the evening as she climbed away from Ropley.

 

Back heating rivets again, this arvo. Tender 3223 again, RH rave this time.
The guys were banging them in quicker than I could heat them! (1/2 in by 3 in countersunk). Nice to have a go after a long break. Can't remember how many, around 40, I think.
Pat

 

Given there was no working party atop the hill yesterday, Muggin's 'Ere still needed to get out and clear the cobwebs!

Soo00...... after agreeing with @Hampshire Unit that it would be a good idea to go out hunting steam in the dark last night He set forth.

First stop, was atop the hill to check that all was well in the yard and the local scrotes hadn't been up to no good, thankfully they hadn't!

Next was to drop down to Ropley to have a shufty and a chat with the crews and let them know where we'd be later @Stinch, was good to have a catch-up and remember Limehouse Lizzy......... , oh, and pic's will be in the post soon.

Then it was time to go down to Alresford & meet up with my partner in crime for the evening..... all fine and dandy until we left the shelter of the tree line when the bitter Northeasterly hit with a vengeance and a serious bite. at which point you begin to seriously question your sanity! Even our camera's didn't like the cold, struggling with focus , but at least we both managed to get something!

Thankfully in between trains we had the luxury (sic) of sheltering in a PWay hut.

My efforts from the day.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55008976707/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55010125899/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55008977062/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55010125809/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55010126034/in/dateposted-public/

 

Enjoyed a fun evening out on one of the lights trains last week, singing along to ABBA and Taylor Swift.

The event seemed really well attended, was very well run (even allowing for a minor delay with 30506) and everyone was enjoying themselves.

We had been a bit concerned by the price drop for tickets just before Christmas but needn’t have worried as the trains seemed well loaded. Hope they brought in a chunk of profit for the railway.

Simon

 

Steam Illuminations on 2nd Jan
Steam Illuminations illuminated by the Moon by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

I'm glad I wasn't there. Were prospective customers informed about it?